Health minister Gillian Keegan continued in-person meeting despite positive Covid result

Health minister Gillian Keegan has apologised after continuing a face-to-face meeting despite testing positive for Covid.

The Chichester MP took to Twitter on Tuesday night to say sorry for her "error of judgment".

Ms Keegan explained that earlier that day she had taken a precautionary lateral flow test. Without waiting for her result, she then met with a suicide prevention campaign group.

"When I was told my test was positive I was listening to three fathers who had tragically lost their daughters to suicide.

"I told them the result and took further precautions but with their consent, I stayed for a short period to hear their stories," she said.

Ms Keegan acknowledged that she should have immediately ended the meeting.

"On reflection this was an error of judgment on my part," she said.

"I fully recognise the importance of following the letter and spirit of the policies, so want to be upfront about what happened and to apologise for the mistake I made."

NHS guidance says that after taking a test, lateral flow users should wait 15-30 minutes for their results.

Ms Keegan said she is currently self-isolating and not experiencing symptoms.

One of those she met, Andy Airey, from Cumbria, told ITV News he didn't believe the incident was worthy of media coverage because everyone had been socially distanced and all those present were unconcerned.

"It was a surprise" to learn she had Covid, he said, but added: "We weren't actually bothered by it because the room we were in was large... we'd been socially distanced at all times."

He said those at the meeting "really didn't want to let her go" because of how long it had taken to get a meeting with a minister.

"From our point of view the Covid thing is a non-story," he said.

On Wednesday, health secretary Sajid Javid said he accepted Ms Keegan’s apology and “continues to support her in her role”. A spokesman for Mr Javid said: “The Secretary of State has spoken with the minister who has taken responsibility for her actions and made a full apology. “He accepts her apology and continues to support her in her role.”

Likewise, health minister Ed Argar said: "She's 'fessed up, she made a mistake, she apologised."

In the past, Ms Keegan has talked about British people doing the “right thing” when it comes to coronavirus.

Asked in November about how new rules around wearing face coverings on public transport would be enforced, Ms Keegan told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Well, largely due to the good sense of British people who will hopefully listen to the rules, try to protect each other, and do what the right thing is. That’s largely what… how it’s always been."

Ms Keegan had met on Tuesday with 3 Dads Walking, a group calling for the government to put suicide prevention on the national curriculum.

Mike Palmer from Sale, along with Andy Airey from Cumbria, and Tim Owen from Shouldham in west Norfolk, have raised more than £800,000 for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus.

Mr Palmer, who lost his 17-year-old daughter Beth to suicide in March 2020, said Ms Keegan had "acted very responsibly”. He said the MP put a mask on, put further distance between herself and the men, and “made arrangements to leave as fast as possible”, adding: “We have no grievance or problem with the way she acted whatsoever.” Mr Palmer added: “She doesn’t need to apologise to us in any way, shape or form. Absolutely not.” He said the men, who are calling for more suicide education – awareness and prevention – on the curriculum, were “very pleased” with how the meeting went and they look forward to meeting Ms Keegan again in future.